The above is priority #4. If the higher-ups do not hold educators accountable for learning new technology, it will take years to implement the NETS or AASL 21st Century Standards. I’m appalled at myself, because I didn’t have a clue about the wealth of information that is accessible for collaboration, teaching, learning, creating, sharing, and transforming. It’s 2011 and I am just being exposed to Google Docs and Photostory. My colleagues and I think being technologically savvy is using Power Point to post daily objectives, schedules, and lunch choices on our t.v. monitors. However, that’s where the savviness (if that’s a word) ends unless you count going to the computer lab to type a paper. We need to be required to learn new technologies and how to use them for instruction.

“By fully funding programs such as Preparing Teachers for Digital Age Learners (PTDAL), we can ensure that the United States produces the most technologically savvy educator workforce in the world.”

This is priority #5. It also refers to training teachers but before they step foot into the classroom. ” Teacher preparation is one of the most important aspects of a world-class 21st Century system of education and learning.” Enough said.

“Establish technology in education as the backbone of school improvement.”

Technology is barely mentioned in my SIP, except to display data or administer MAP-R, a reading test given on the computer. The above is priority #1. I’m not a member of the SIP team but I better advocate for implementation of technology for the 2011-2012 school year.

Effective use of technology is one bandwagon everyone needs to jump on. However, a plan is needed so that educators don’t feel pressure or frustration. Contributing to the SIP is one way to go about it without feeling alone in this endeavor. Also, if administrators are supportive, then the staff will feel obligated to follow through.